Top Law Schools

I've essentially narrowed my choices down to these two schools. I'm not interested in retaking the LSAT.

GW COA (Tuition minus scholarship+COL (rough estimate)/yr): 24,144+25,000=$49,144
BC COA: 24,070+20,000=$44,070

Would like a big law job, otherwise am interested in criminal law/government work. Primarily interested in litigation. Prefer DC to Boston but am aware that Boston is a less competitive market. No ties to DC, weak ties to Boston, and strong ties to Philly (would also consider returning home to Philly after graduation).

Parents are picking up cost of living in either case and at least 15K of the tuition. The rest would be funded through loans.

With parental contributions:
GW: $9,144 debt per year approximately
BC: $9,070 debt per year approximately

Since my actual debt between schools is about even, I'm primarily looking for advice on fit for my particular goals.

I'm a BC 3L with a Boston BigLaw job, with almost the exact debt load from BC that you would have. If your goal really is DC, I say go to GW. I don't know a single person at BC that is going to DC for BigLaw (I know some currently applying to gov jobs though). Part of that is BC is very self-selecting; most people here want to stay in New England. If you'd be happy in Boston, then BC is a terrific option, as we have more people in Boston BigLaw than any other law school. If you're in the top 1/3 of the class here, you'll have no problems. I know a couple people here going to Philly BigLaw, but mostly its Boston, with NYC a distant second.

Don't know much about crim law or government, but I know that Suffolk County (Boston) has the lowest starting salary for ADAs in the nation, so something to keep in mind.

Good luck!

For your goals I think GW is the obvious pick.